He Doesn't Want to Be Famous

Yu Cheng is an odd presence in the entertainment industry. While everyone else schemes against one another and fights for attention, he always turns down invitations to industry dinners, acting like a man apart from the world.

By chance, a top-tier star drops out of a dating show because of a scheduling conflict. With no other option, the agency asks Yu Cheng, the entertainment industry's perennial idler, to fill in.

And on this very show, he meets Ren Xiao, the second son of an entertainment giant, and ends up paired with him as an on-screen couple!

Ren Xiao is incredibly difficult to deal with. He criticizes Yu Cheng at every turn and is always teasing him, openly or behind his back.

Anyone else would have rushed to cozy up to him, but Yu Cheng doesn't take him seriously at all, showing not a hint of flattery or ingratiation.

He even avoids the big boss's probing questions whenever he can.

*

Ren Xiao, the second son of the biggest entertainment company in Huaguo, is young, handsome, and wealthy. As soon as he returns from studying abroad, his older brother drags him onto a dating show.

He was planning to pair up with a top-tier star, but only found out on the first day of filming that the star had been replaced by some little actor whose name he'd never even heard!

Ren Xiao is convinced Yu Cheng got the role through connections. Everything about him rubs Ren Xiao the wrong way, so he trips him up at every opportunity.

But as they spend time together, he realizes Yu Cheng isn't the least bit materialistic or scheming. He's considerate, too. The more Ren Xiao sees of him, the more he likes him, and he even starts to think he's... kind of cute!

Ren Xiao: I take it all back!

*

After spending time together, Ren Xiao keeps thinking about Yu Cheng without meaning to. Only then does he realize he's fallen for him.

He secretly invests in a major production and gets Yu Cheng cast as the male lead, but...

Yu Cheng: No.

Then he contacts an international brand and secures top-tier advertising opportunities for Yu Cheng, but...

Yu Cheng: I'm not doing it.

Again and again, Yu Cheng turns down the opportunities offered by Boss Ren.

The more Ren Xiao can't have him, the more he starts to wonder why.

Finally, Ren Xiao gets someone to bring him over, puts on the air of a big boss, and asks, "Don't you want to be famous?"

*

Yu Cheng buries his face against his chest, dejection showing between his brows. His voice sounds both mocking and self-deprecating. "You're giving me these opportunities for one reason, and it has to do with those things."

Ren Xiao asks, "What things?"

Yu Cheng gives a cold laugh. "Isn't that how the entertainment industry works? If I accept your opportunities, I'll have to pay a price. Can't I just refuse?"

The next second, Ren Xiao pulls him into his arms. "I really do want to treat you well..."

Content warnings:

1. Includes some of the entertainment industry's 'rules' (the protagonist's past is somewhat tragic). Proceed with caution if this bothers you.

2. The top isn't a domineering CEO. His affection is the quiet, subtle kind that nurtures things without a fuss.

3. The bottom has the kind of beauty that makes everyone fall for him~

Devoted, obsessive boss top (Ren Xiao) x cool beauty bottom with thorns all over (Yu Cheng)

Theme: Theme to be revised.